Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Data Days is here! Join us now for 60+ days of learning, challenges, and connection. Learn more

Reply
smerchant
Helper I
Helper I

Expand Column - REST API JSON Records

I have bring data to PowerBI through an REST API Endpoint.  I have two questions:

 

1) How do I expand the customer column so I get the value only (there are two column the customer records link/values) (Picture 1)

2) Why do I see 'expand' icon (two arrow) in some columns which allow me to pick the column and not in other column e.g. customer (Picture 2)

 

customerrecords.png

 

 

expandcolumn.png

 

 

 

 

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
Anonymous
Not applicable

@smerchant,

The column with two arrow contains all the fields recorded in your JSON file, and some fields(e.g. customer ) contain nested arrays, these fields only have one arrow after you import data from JSON to Power BI Desktop.

To expand the customer column, please follow hugoberry's suggestions in this similar thread.


Regards,
Lydia Zhang

View solution in original post

2 REPLIES 2
Anonymous
Not applicable

@smerchant,

The column with two arrow contains all the fields recorded in your JSON file, and some fields(e.g. customer ) contain nested arrays, these fields only have one arrow after you import data from JSON to Power BI Desktop.

To expand the customer column, please follow hugoberry's suggestions in this similar thread.


Regards,
Lydia Zhang

Hello, 

 

Taking this further, I have 20 JSON files with 20 columns each to import. Rather than click, click, click, what is the programmatic method for importing these?

 

powerBILineChart15.pngpowerBILineChart16.png

 

Specifically

  • How do I convert JSON to table
  • Expand all columns
  • Drop some columns
  • Rename some columns

This is all manual at the moment.


Thank you!

Helpful resources

Announcements
Fabric Data Days is here Carousel

Fabric Data Days 2026

Don't miss out on Data Days, June 15 through August 7. Learn Fabric, Power BI, SQL, AI and more.

May Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - May 2026

Check out the May 2026 Power BI update to learn about new features.

Power BI DataViz World Championships carousel

Power BI DataViz World Championships - June 2026

A new Power BI DataViz World Championship is coming this June! Don't miss out on submitting your entry.